Funeral services are set for Thursday for a volunteer firefighter from South Dakota who died Tuesday of head injuries sustained at the scene of a brush fire last week.

Thomas "Emmett" Kuehl, 38, a member of the Elkton Volunteer Fire Co., was behind the wheel of a fire truck when it got stuck. A tractor was being used to pull it out when the tow cable snapped, crashed through the windshield and struck him in the head.

He was taken to a local hospital, and later flown to Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls where he died.

Funeral services are set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Elkton Public School.

Elkton, a community of about 650 is located about 50 miles from Sioux Falls.

Im not saying winching isn't dangerous because it can be... but the way I read that they were not winching.... they were being pulled out by a tractor.
If they were jerking on the cable I wouldnt be suprised in the slightest

Quote:

A tractor was being used to pull it out when the tow cable snapped, crashed through the windshield and struck him in the head.

This is why its soo importan to take that extra step in saftey.. Open your hood while winching, if you have a truck with a tool box open the toolbox lid, these will slow down or most likely stop the flying cable or strap. Also ALWAYS put a heavy Blanket or Jacket over the winching line or best of all just pop the extra money and buy synthetic line. You may spend 300 bux now but later down the rd when that baby lets go you'll be glad you did !